Beverage machine

Abstract

A machine ( 1 ) for preparing a beverage from an ingredient capsule ( 20 ), comprises: an ingredient capsule processing module ( 15 ) having a chamber ( 16,17 ) for processing the capsule therein; a passage ( 2 ) for a transfer of the capsule to the chamber; and a capsule positioner ( 40 ) having at least one member ( 45 a, 45 b ) that is pivotable about a pivoting axis (A) from a position for receiving and holding the capsule to a position for releasing the capsule into the passage ( 2 ). The pivoting axis extends through an area ( 44 ′) occupied by the capsule when held by the pivotable member(s).

1 . A machine for preparing a beverage from an ingredient capsule, comprising:
 an ingredient capsule processing module having a chamber for processing the capsule therein;   a passage for a transfer of the capsule to the chamber;   a capsule positioner having at least one member that is pivotable about a pivoting axis from a position for receiving and holding the capsule to a position for releasing the capsule into the passage,   the pivoting axis extends through an area occupied by the capsule when held by the at least one member.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pivotable member delimits defines at least part of a seat for receiving and holding the capsule. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the seat has a shape configured to generally match a shape of the capsule. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 3 , wherein the seat has a shape that is generally conical or cylindrical to match a correspondingly shaped body of the capsule. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the seat has guides arranged to match a correspondingly shaped capsule flange. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the capsule positioner comprises a pair of pivotable members delimiting defining at least part of the seat. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 6 , wherein the members are pivotable in opposite directions about the pivoting axis. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pivotable member forms a shell. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pivotable member is located:
 in its member position for receiving and holding the capsule, between the area and the passage; and   in its member position for releasing the capsule into the passage, sideways the area and passage and/or above the area.   
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 1 , comprising a guiding member for guiding the capsule in the passage. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 10 , wherein the capsule positioner has a seat that has guides for guiding the capsule. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the capsule positioner and the passage and the ingredient processing module are adapted to handle a capsule of a first type and of a second type. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the capsule positioner is located above the ingredient processing module and the passage. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the pivoting axis of the at least one pivotable member extends:
 generally perpendicularly to a transfer direction of the capsule along the passage; and/or   generally parallelly to a machine housing at the capsule positioner generally parallelly to the passage.   
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 1 , comprising a machine housing, the capsule positioner being located at a top part of the machine housing. 
     
     
         16 . A method of inserting an ingredient capsule into the processing module of a machine for preparing a beverage from the capsule, comprising the steps of:
 receiving and holding the capsule by at least one pivotable member of a capsule positioner whereby the pivoting axis extends through the held capsule;   pivoting the at least one member about the pivoting axis to a position for releasing the capsule and releasing the capsule into a passage; and   transferring the capsule via the passage to a chamber of a processing module.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a beverage is prepared after transferring the capsule to the chamber of a processing module. 
     
     
         18 . A combination of a machine and a capsule, wherein the machine and the capsule are arranged to perform a method for preparing a beverage, the machine is comprising:
 an ingredient capsule processing module having a chamber for processing the capsule therein;   a passage for a transfer of the capsule to the chamber;   a capsule positioner having at least one member that is pivotable about a pivoting axis from a position for receiving and holding the capsule to a position for releasing the capsule into the passage,   the pivoting axis extends through an area occupied by the capsule when held by the at least one member, and wherein the capsule can be held by the capsule positioner so that the pivoting axis extends through the capsule.   
     
     
         19 . A capsule that can:
 be inserted into a machine for preparing a beverage from an ingredient capsule, comprising:   an ingredient capsule processing module having a chamber for processing the capsule therein;   a passage for a transfer of the capsule to the chamber;   a capsule positioner having at least one member that is pivotable about a pivoting axis from a position for receiving and holding the capsule to a position for releasing the capsule into the passage,   the pivoting axis extends through an area occupied by the capsule when held by the at least one member and produce a beverage.